China Open: Kian Meng-Pei Jing lead Malaysian charge into semis

Tan-Lai continued their gallant run in this Super 1000 event with a 21-18, 21-19 upset of fourth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai.

Their 41-minute success came as one of the biggest wins of the year, especially coming into this match with a 2-9 win record against the Thais.

Tan-Kian did well to haul themselves into contention in the first game before sealing the game late on, and in the second game they had to keep their composure at 19-19 to convert the final two points.

The victory was sealed was Tan sent reverse slice cross-court return to leave both Puavaranukroh- Taerattanachai for the win and a last four date against South Korea’s Seo Seung-jae-Chae Yu-jung.

“It’s a huge win for us, but the job is not done yet. We have another big match tomorrow, and we will try to maintain the same performance and give our opponents a good fight,” the pair said.

What a way to clinch the match from Tan/Lai ???.Follow live action: https://t.co/TjoFnU5nd9@HSBC_Sport#BWFWorldTour #ChinaOpen2023 pic.twitter.com/DW1xfpGBFr

— BWF (@bwfmedia) September 8, 2023

Chen-Toh, meanwhile, were taken to three games before prevailing 21-15, 13-21, 21-16 against Chinese Taipei’s Ye Hong Wei-Lee Chia-hsin.

The Malaysians found the added gear from the seventh point in the deciding game to pull away from their opponents to confirm the victory, and to setup a clash against French pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue next.

“We trusted each other and played like we had nothing to lose. It is a good breakthrough for us in a big tournament like this, but the job is not done yet,” they said.

Chia-Soh made it a hat-trick of entries into the last four after overcoming compatriots Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 19-21, 21-19, 21-11 in a 62-minute contest.

Ong-Teo took the lead after edging the first game that included a 55-rally highlight, before Chia-Soh levelled with the same scoreline.

The World Championships bronze medalists were more comfortable in the deciding game to progress, where they will face either an Indonesian or South Korean pair.